First international nuclear science olympiad a foresight of future movers and shakers in atomic field, says DOST chief

In a historic move, the Philippines will host the first-ever international nuclear science olympiad (INSO) in the world.  The event will run from August 1 - 6, 2024 at adjacent venues in New Clark City, Pampanga and Capas, Tarlac.  

The event is led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Contenders in the newly established international olympiad are junior and senior secondary school students under 20 years old who emerged as national winners in their respective countries.  Olympiad participants hail from the Asia-Pacific region, such as Bahrain, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, Jordan, Syria, and the Philippines. 

“The DOST, through the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) is proud to organize this international tilt that will feature the cream of the crop students who will display their knowledge and skills in nuclear science... One of the best things about this event is that it gives us a view of future movers and shakers who will explore the field of nuclear science for peaceful applications in the world” said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr.

Some 59 contenders have been lined up from the 14 participating countries, along with 12 observers and 31 team leaders.

Serving as the brain center of the Olympiad is the INSO Scientific Committee, composed of nuclear scientists and experts from the country. 

The Committee, which is independent from the organizing team, formulates the questions to be fielded in the exams proper. The final questions will be selected in a highly-confidential session among the Scientific Committee and the team leaders. Likewise, the Committee sets the guidelines to be implemented in the Olympiad.

The INSO opening ceremonies will be held on August 1, 2024 at the SMX Convention Center in New Clark City, Pampanga. Welcoming the contestants and their respective delegations are DOST Secretary Solidum, representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency; collanorating agencies DOST- National Research Council of the Philippines, Department of Education, and Philippine Nuclear Science Foundation; other national agencies, and private institutions.

Sponsors partnering with INSO are Meralco, Valar Atomics, Aboitiz, ISI E-Beam, ALVTechnologies, GNPower Ltd. Co, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Curio, and Apex.

The hosting of the 1st INSO is likewise supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency via IAEA TC Project RAS/0/091 "Supporting Nuclear Science and Technology Education at the Secondary and Tertiary Level." 

More information on the INSO are available at https://insofirst.ph/ and the social media sites of DOST-PNRI. #PHirstINSO #PanaloSaINSO (Publicity and Media Working Team, First INSO)